Dispenser for washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A washing apparatus such as a dishwasher having a dispenser for dispensing treating liquid such as a rinse additive at a preselected time in the dishwashing cycle. The dispenser is arranged to measure a preselected quantity of the additive as an incident of moving the dishwasher door between opened and closed positions and to dispense the preselected quantity subsequently at the desired time in the washing cycle. Pressure-producing means are provided for urging the treating liquid into the washing chamber in effecting the dispensing operation. The liquid is effectively pumped upwardly by the pressure-producing means to an outlet opening to the washing chamber.

llnited States Patent [191 Rohandt, 11 et al.

[451 Aug. 13, 1974 DISPENSER FOR WASHING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: William F. Robandt, II, St. Joseph;

Jack F. Clearman, Stevensville, both of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 366,371

[52] US. Cl 222/70, 222/165, 68/17 R [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/30 [58] Field of Search 222/70, 335, 395, 396,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,576,207 3/1926 Mummery 222/456 2,946,489 7/1960 Brucken 222/70 X 2,997,047 8/1961 Anderson 68/17 R X 3,124,271 3/1964 Beck et a1 222/70 3,223,285 12/1965 Anderson 613/17 R X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Charles A. Marmor Attorney, Agent, or Firml-lofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord 5 7 ABSTRACT A washing apparatus such as a dishwasher having a dispenser for dispensing treating liquid such as a rinse additive at a preselected time in the dishwashing cycle. The dispenser is arranged to measure a preselected quantity of the additive as an incident of moving the dishwasher door between opened and closed positions and to dispense the preselected quantity subsequently at the desired time in the washing cycle. Pressure-producing means are provided for urging the treating liquid into the washing chamber in effecting the dispensing operation. The liquid is effectively pumped upwardly by the pressure-producing means to an outlet opening to the washing chamber.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures I DISPENSER FOR WASHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to washing apparatus, and in particular, to dispensers for dispensing a preselected quantity of material into washing liquid during a washing operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the conventional dishwasher, different materials may be delivered into the dishtreating chamber during different cycles of the washing operation. Thus, detergent may be dispensed at different times to provide washing cycles. To provide improved rinsing of the washed dishes, a rinse additive is dispensed in certain dishwashers during a subsequent dishtreating cycle. To effect introduction of the treating material to the water in the dishwasher to provide such washing and rinsing cycles, automatic dispensers have been provided to effect the dispensing operation at a suitable time in the operation. Because of the conditions under which such dispensers operate, it is desirable to provide such dispensers with a minimum number of moving parts and with substantially clog-free construction.

For competitive reasons it is desirable to provide such dispensing structures which are extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing positive dispensing of the desired materials with minimum maintenance over long periods of use of the apparatus. Further, it is desirable to provide such dispensers which may be easily installed in the apparatus and which will not interfere with the normal dish-treating operations.

One dispenser structure provided for dishwasher use is shown in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 2,997,047 of M. E. Anderson. In the dispenser structure disclosed therein, means are provided for dispensing a rinse additive under the control of a solenoid operated valve which selectively maintains a vacuum condition in the measuring chamber or breaks the vacuum condition to permit the measured rinse additive to run into the washing chamber. The Anderson structure has the serious disadvantage of permitting leaking of the additive in the event of any malfunctioning of the valve permitting even a small amount of air leakage therepast into the measuring chamber.

In the U.S. Letters Pat. No. 2,975,945 of M. E Anderson et al., a liquid agent dispenser for a washing machine is shown to utilize the pressure produced by the main body of liquid in the washing tank to deliver a preselected quantity of additive liquid into the washing chamber. The amount of liquid dispensed is controlled by the amount of air so pumped.

In U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,094,247 of V. V. Marchi, a heater is used to heat air in a chamber bounded by a diaphragm which, in turn, resultingly pressurizes air on the opposite side of the diaphragm to operate a fluid dispenser. In Canadian Pat. No. 733,277 of Thomas E. Noakes, a liquid dispenser for laundry machines is shown to include a measuring chamber having a hot air supply duct connected thereto and arranged to provide controlled pressure for dispensing liquid delivered to the measuring chamber from a superjacent reservoir. A pushbutton is provided for manually controlling delivcry of the additive liquid from the reservoir to the measuring chamber.

In U.S. Letters Pat. No. 2,914,217 of J. D. Warhus, a wetting agent dispenser is mounted-in the bottom wall of the sump of a dishwasher, and ball check valves are required to control the flow of the wetting agent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved dispensing structure for dispensing treating liquid into a washing chamber of a washing apparatus including wall means defining a metering chamber, delivery means for delivering a preselected quantity of treating liquid to the measuring chamber as an incident of swinging at least one of the means a preselected amount about a generally horizontal axis, outlet port means defining an outlet from the measuring chamber requiring forceful upward urging of the preselected quantity of treating liquid for delivery into the washing chamber, and pressure-producing means for selectively urging the preselected quantity of treating liquid through the outlet means.

The pressure-producing means may comprise an electric heater arranged to heat a body of air communicating with the measuring chamber at a preselected time in the washing operation.

The metering chamber may be provided with the preselected quantity of treating liquid as an incident of sequential opening and closing of the door of the washing apparatus. The dispenser structure includes a reservoir and passage means for transferring the preselected quantity of treating liquid from the reservoir to the measuring chamber for refilling the measuring chamber as an incident of such door opening and closing.

The outlet port from the metering chamber defines an opening thereto above the upper level of the treating liquid when the dispenser is in the filling position, and below the upper level when the dispenser is in the dispensing position.

The dispenser structure may be mounted within the door with the outlet element projecting outwardly therefrom into the washing chamber in the dispensing position. The outlet may form a portion of an inlet means provided for conducting treating liquid into the reservoir as for replenishing the supply therein.

Thus, the dispenser structure of the present invention is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher having a dispenser structure embodying the invention, with portions of the dishwasher cut away to facilitate illustration thereof;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dispenser with the filler cap removed;

FIG. 3 is a section of the dispenser structure through the reservoir and inlet portion thereof, generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the dispenser structure taken along line 44 of FIG. 2 showing details of the metering chamber portion;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but with the dispenser structure in a vertical dispensing position;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the dispenser structure with a portion broken away to facilitate the illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a washing apparatus, herein a dishwasher 10, is shown to comprise a cabinet 11 defining a washing chamber 12. Dishes to be washed are carried in chamber l2 on suitable racks 13 and are adapted to be sprayed with washing liquid by a main rotating spray device 14 and an auxiliary upper rotating spray device 15. Delivery of water to chamber 12 for circulation by spray device 14 is controlled by means of a suitable inlet valve 16.

Cabinet 11 defines a front opening 17 which may be selectively closed by a door 18 mounted to cabinet 11 for swinging movement about a horizontal axis at the lower end 19 thereof.

The door is provided with an inner panel 20 carrying a silverware basket 21, a detergent dispenser 22, a rinse additive dispenser 23, and a vent 24 for discharging humid air from chamber 12 during the drying cycle. A timer control 25 may be mounted in door 18 for controlling the automatic operation of the dishwasher and more specifically for controlling the operation of the rinse additive dispenser 23 at a desired time in the washing operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser structure 23 defines an inlet element 26 projecting outwardly from the door. Referring to FIG. 2 the dispenser structure includes a body generally designated 27 having a portion 30 defining an air chamber 31 and a portion 28 defining a reservoir chamber 29. A metering means generally designated 32 is provided at one side of the body reservoir portion 28 for selectively dispensing treating liquid into the dishwashing chamber 12 in the operation of apparatus 10. The metering means 32 has a cover plate 60 and sealing gasket 62 secured by bolts 63 to seal the metering chambers hereinafter disclosed. As shown in FIG. 2, a duct 33 extends from metering means 32 to an outlet opening 34 formed integrally with inlet element 26 for delivering a preselected quantity of treating liquid at the desired time in the operation of the dishwasher under the control of timer 25. As shown in FIG. 7, a cap 35 is threaded to the inlet element 26. Outlet 34 communicates with chamber 12 through a space 36 between cap 35 and a nut 37 threaded to the inlet element 26 and abutting door panel 20. Nut 37 secures the dispenser structure 23 in the door. A gasket 38 may be disposed between body reservoir portion 28 and the door panel 20 to seal body 27 thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when door 18 is in the open position extending generally horizontally forwardly from cabinet 11, reservoir portion 28 of the dispenser extends generally horizontally at the lower end of the inlet element 26 under the door panel 20. Rinse additive 39 may be introduced into reservoir chamber 29 at this time by removal of cap 35 and pouring of the additive 39 through the inlet passage 40 downwardly into chamber 29.

In this disposition, as shown in FIG. 4, additive liquid 39 may also flow into metering means 32 through an interconnecting port or passage 41 so as to fill a lower metering chamber 42 and extend upwardly through a connecting passage 43 partially into an upper metering chamber 44 thereof. The level of liquid 39 will be equalized in reservoir chamber 29 and metering means 32. As further shown in FIG. 4, an outlet port 45 is provided leading from upper metering chamber 44 to duct 33.

Outlet port 45 is disposed above the level of liquid 39 in the open arrangement of the door as shown in FIG. 4. However, when the door is swung to the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the additive liquid 39 in metering means 32 is rearranged so as to fill the interconnecting passage 43 and the lower portion of metering chambers 42 and 44 so that the liquid level extends above the level of outlet port 45. Port 41, providing communication between reservoir chamber 29 and metering chamber 42, is disposed substantially above the upper level of liquid 39 in metering means 32 at this time to prevent flow between the two chambers (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 2, outlet opening 34 is disposed above the level of outlet port 45 and the upper level of the liquid in metering chamber 44, thereby preventing delivery of any of the treating liquid 39 in the absence of a forceful urging of the liquid upwardly to outlet 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, delivery of the treating liquid 39 to opening 34 is effected by a pressureproducing means 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressureproducing means comprises an electric heater 47 disposed within chamber 31 of body portion 30. A pair of terminals 48 and 49 project outwardly through body portion 30 and are suitably connected to control 25 for energization of heater 47 at a preselected time in the operation of the dishwasher to heat the air in chamber 31. As shown in FIG. 5, a passage 50 is provided in the wall 51 between body portions 28 and 30 to provide communication between chamber 31 and a buffer chamber 52 communicating, through a restriction portion 53 of body portion 28, with the metering chamber 44. The restriction portion 53 insures that no liquid is allowed to pass from metering chamber 44 through buffer chamber 50 into chamber 31 when the dispenser is pivoted to the horizontal position of FIG. 5. Thus, when heater 47 is energized, the expanded air produces a pressure acting on the upper surface of the liquid 39 in metering chamber 44. Interconnecting port 41 is disposed above outlet opening 34 and therefore the pressure forces the liquid upwardly through duct 33 and outwardly through outlet opening 34 into dishwashing chamber 12. The liquid 39 is so delivered from the metering means 32 until the upper level thereof reaches the level of outlet port 45, thereby terminating the delivery of the preselected quantity of treating liquid.

As shown in FIG. 6, chamber 31 is sealingly closed by a cover 54 and a suitable sealing gasket 55. A pair of spring retainers 56 embrace the cover and engage suitable flanges 57 on body portion 30 to secure the cover in place across the top of chamber 31. The terminals 48 and 49 extend sealingly upwardly through passageways formed in cover 54.

As shown in FIG. 4, interconnecting port 41 is disposed at the bottom of chamber 29 when the door is in the open position so that metering chamber 42 is always filled in this position notwithstanding a variation in the amount of liquid in reservoir chamber 29. Passage 43 is of small cross section so that minimal variation in the total quantity of treating liquid delivered to the metering means 32 in the open position of door 18 is assured.

In use, the operator fills reservoir chamber 29 by delivery of liquid 39 through passage 40 of inlet element 26, having removed cap 35. The cap is then replaced, leaving an outlet space 36 for delivery of the treating liquid from the metering means 32 subsequently in the operation of the dishwasher. A preselected quantity of the treating liquid 39 is automatically disposed in metering chamber 42, as discussed above, as a result of the provision of the liquid supply in reservoir chamber 29 with the door in the open position.

When the user closes the door in the normal operation of the dishwasher, the liquid level in metering means 32 is changed to that of FIG. 5 so that when heater 47 is energized at the proper time in the rinse cycle, air pressure is built up to force the measured quantity of treating liquid above outlet opening 45 outwardly therethrough and through duct 33 to outlet opening 34 for dispensing of the measured quantity through space 36 into dishwashing chamber 12.

As both the inlet and outlet passages are formed integrally with the inlet element 26, the bulk of the dispenser may be disposed rearwardly of door panel in a recessed arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. As the dispenser uses no moving part, maintenance requirements are effectively minimized and the dispenser provides long trouble-free life in the metered dispensing of treating liquid in the operation of the dishwasher. As a positive urging of the treating liquid upwardly through duct 33 is required to effect the dispensing of the preselected quantity, leakage of the measured quantity from the device into the dishwashing chamber is effectively precluded.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a washing apparatus defining a washing chamber, structure for dispensing treating liquid into the washing chamber comprising: chamber means defining a reservoir chamber and a metering chamber; delivery means for delivering a preselected quantity of treating liquid from said reservoir chamber to said metering chamber as an incident of swinging said chamber means a preselected amount about a generally horizontal axis, said delivery means defining a flow passage between said reservoir chamber and said metering chamber; outlet means defining an outlet from said metering chamber requiring forceful upward urging of the preselected quantity of treating liquid from said metering chamber for delivery into the washing chamber; and pressure-producing means free of moving parts for selectively applying a fluid pressure to the liquid in said metering chamber for urging said preselected quantity of treating liquid from said metering chamber through said outlet means, said chamber means including wall means precluding application of the fluid pressure directly to the treating liquid adjacent said delivery means flow passage.

2. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet means defines an opening to the metering chamber at a vertically substantially central portion thereof.

3. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said metering means is movably carried to swing about said generally horizontal axis between a filling position and a dispensing position.

4. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said metering means is movably carried to swing about said generally horizontal axis between a filling position and a dispensing position and said outlet means defines a port in liquid communication with said metering chamber above the upper level of treating liquid therein in said filling position and below the upper level of liquid therein in said dispensing position.

5. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, and said dispensing structure is mounted on said door.

6. The washing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said outlet means defines said port in liquid communication with said metering chamber at a level above the-bottom thereof and said pressure-producing means defines pneumatic pressure means arranged to prevent further delivery of the treating liquid from the metering chamber to the outlet means when said upper level falls to the level of said port.

7. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure-producing means comprises wall means defining a pressure chamber communicating with said metering chamber and a heating element in said pressure chamber.

8. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, said dispensing structure mounted in said door, and said outlet means projects outwardly from said door into said washing chamber when the door is disposed to close said washing chamber.

9. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, said dispensing structure is mounted in said door, said outlet projects outwardly from said door into said washing chamber when the door is disposed to close said washing chamber, said delivery means defines reservoir means for storing a supply of the liquid treating material and inlet means for permitting selective filling of the reservoir means as desired.

10. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, said dispensing structure is mounted in said door, said outlet projects outwardly from said door into said washing chamber when the door is disposed to close said washing chamber, said delivery means defines reservoir means for storing a supply of the liquid treating material, and inlet means adjacent said outlet means for permitting selective filling of the reservoir means as desired.

11. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus comprises a dishwasher. 

1. In a washing apparatus defining a washing chamber, structure for dispensing treating liquid into the washing chamber comprising: chamber means defining a reservoir chamber and a metering chamber; delivery means for delivering a preselected quantity of treating liquid from said reservoir chamber to said metering chamber as an incident of swinging said chamber means a preselected amount about a generally horizontal axis, said delivery means defining a flow passage between said reservoir chamber and said metering chamber; outlet means defining an outlet from said metering chamber requiring forceful upward urging of the preselected quantity of treating liquid from said metering chamber for delivery into the washing chamber; and pressure-producing means free of moving parts for selectively applying a fluid pressure to the liquid in said metering chamber for urging said preselected quantity of treating liquid from said metering chamber through said outlet means, said chamber means including wall means precluding application of the fluid pressure directly to the treating liquid adjacent said delivery means flow passage.
 2. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet means defines an opening to the metering chamber at a vertically substantially central portion thereof.
 3. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said metering means is movably carried to swing about said generally horizontal axis between a filling position and a dispensing position.
 4. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said metering means is movably carried to swing about said generally horizontal axis between a filling position and a dispensing position and said outlet means defines a port in liquid communication with said metering chamber above the upper level of treating liquid therein in said filling position and below the upper level of liquid therein in said dispensing position.
 5. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, and said dispensing structure is mounted on said door.
 6. The washing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said outlet means defines said port in liquid communication with said metering chamber at a level above the bottom thereof and said pressure-producing means defines pneumatic pressure means arranged to prevent further delivery of the treating liquid from the metering chamber to the outlet means when said upper level falls to the level of said port.
 7. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure-producing means comprises wall means defining a pressure chamber communicating with said metering chamber and a heating element in said pressure chamber.
 8. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, said dispensing structure mounted in said door, and said outlet means projects outwardly from said door into said washing chamber when the door is disposed to close said washing chamber.
 9. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, said dispensing structure is mounted in said door, said outlet projects outwardly from said door into said washing chamber when the door is disposed to close said washing chamber, said delivery means defines reservoir means for storing a supply of the liquid treating material and inlet means for permitting selective filling of the reservoir means as desired.
 10. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus defines a door swingable about a horizontal axis for selectively closing said washing chamber, said dispensing structure is mounted in said door, said outlet projects outwardly from said door into said washing chamber when the door is disposed to close said washing chamber, said delivery means defines reservoir means for storing a supply of the liquid treating material, and inlet means adjacent said outlet means for permitting selective filling of the reservoir means as desired.
 11. The washing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said washing apparatus comprises a dishwasher. 